Survivor decal provides easier access to Army posts

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FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - During a Survivor Outreach Services working group meeting last year, several participants expressed difficulty in gaining access to military installations to take part in SOS programs and support services.

Survivors, including parents of fallen Soldiers, do not always have a DoD identification card and are frequently required to get a visitor or temporary vehicle pass to enter garrisons.

Survivors are now able to apply for a survivor decal, much like the standard installation-access decal for their vehicle, greatly improving their ability to access the programs designed to support them.

"My intent is to implement access control procedures, making it easier for survivors to enter Army garrisons," said Lt. Gen. Rick D. Lynch, commander of the Army Installation Management Command and assistant chief of staff for installation management. "I want all security personnel manning our entrance gates to recognize these very special Army families and welcome them with special respect for their sacrifice and service."

Each garrison SOS support coordinator has the responsibility of working directly with survivors to assist them in the application process, which includes registering with the installation's vehicle registration system.

Current Department of Defense physical-access control policy requires everyone seeking entrance to a military installation to stop at an entrance gate and present government-issued, photo identification.

Acceptable forms of identification include a state-issued driver's license or state identification card.

Survivors must still follow that policy, but once they have a decal, they will no longer be required to apply for a visitor's pass each time they enter an installation. The decal is only valid at Army garrisons.

For more information about obtaining SOS decals, call the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall SOS office at 703-696-8846 or 703-696-8847.